You can expect April to be a solidly good month and a vast improvement over February and March. Those were months that might have been emotionally draining for you, for February brought shockwaves due to the advent of two eclipses, and at the time Mercury was retrograde. March brought a wild and very active Uranus - planet of unexpected events - so it probably wasn't very relaxing, although admittedly, you were one of the signs that may have liked the many social surprises that were in store.

It is also true that whenever the Sun returns to Taurus, as it will be after April 20, you always feel that you're more in your element. You'll be more favored by authority figures and generally feel in more control of your life. Indeed, late April and May IS almost always sure to please you, and this year April and especially May will be some of your very best points of 2008.

The first part of the month will begin quietly. The new moon, April 5, will fall in the most private part of your chart, the 12th house, ruling your subconscious mind, your dreams, and your most personal goals. This part of the chart rules secrets too, so it's the time where you decide to begin under-the-radar work on certain endeavors, ones that require a lot of solitude and thinking. In ancient times, the 12th house was thought to be akin to the primordial waters of creation, so as you see, the very first germination of an idea could easily begin now.

In each case, if you do start something new now, you probably won't be ready to talk to others just yet about what you're doing. Your plan isn't fully formed yet, so it is understandable that you would need to keep it under wraps. You may want to do more investigation, tinker with the idea a bit more to shape it, or imagine a few different ways of approaching the idea to see which one seems best. If you meet someone new - say, on a blind date - you probably won't want to talk about this person yet to friends, not until you have a good idea of what your instinct is telling you first. Other people's opinion, at this stage, could make you confused or force you to second guess yourself.

This new moon period April 5-19 would also be ideal for giving up any habit that you feel is detrimental to your health. You are the one to decide what that form of behavior that might be. It could be something simple, like eating too many processed foods or having too many drinks at happy hour every Friday night. Or, it could be something more serious, such as getting involved with substances that can become addictive.

You get the picture. The point is that almost everyone has something in life that they'd like to delete and exchange the behavior for something healthier. This is your moment to decide what yours might be and to set out to do something about replacing that habit with something more compelling.

Habits take a while to overturn. Some people say it takes 21 days to create a new habit. It takes me a bit longer than that, I suspect. You know yourself best, so decide on a timeframe and aim for it. It will never be as hard as it will be on the first day - after that each day gets ever so much easier. Imagine how proud you'll be when you are suddenly completely free of this behavior you'd like to change!

Speaking of being free of things, sometimes we need to clear out habits, but other times we need to clear out physical possessions to feel better (or both)! In that vein, you may want to take everything out of one very cluttered closet, have it painted, and then replace everything you really want to keep, and donate the rest. Replace everything that is in a box with new boxes. Everything will feel so fresh. You'll feel lighter and more organized, and you'll probably discover a little treasure in that closet that you've not seen in ages. In all, it's such a therapeutic experience that you may decide to do all your closets.

A close relationship that is very important to you will come to culmination at the full moon, April 20. Hopefully, all that will occur will make your eyes sparkle with happiness. Male or female, you may suddenly get engaged or even married, perhaps in honor of your birthday. If an impending marriage seems highly unlikely, you can use this same energy for sealing an important business partnership or joint venture.

What I like about this full moon is that it will have an extraordinarily friendly rapport with Pluto and Saturn. Pluto is known to bring financial benefits, and Saturn, longevity to the pact. On top of this, several planets will form an ultra-harmonious triangular shape in the sky, linking Pluto, Saturn, Mercury, and the Sun, considered amazingly lucky. If this full moon should happen to crystallize deep feelings, chances are that the love you feel will be strong and enduring. You may be contemplating a trip too at this time - a honeymoon, perhaps?

If you ARE married, steadily dating someone you love, or living together, then it's also possible that your partner will bring you vitally important news near April 20. You appear to be very focused on your partner at this time, and hopefully the news will be news you'll want to celebrate. (It seems so.)

If your partner has a bone to pick with you, I guess I should add that this full moon could bring feelings out in the open. You can't fix things that you don't know about, so perhaps once you do hear what's on your partner's mind, the two of you can go about finding a remedy. Realize, however, that I feel this full moon will be a very positive moment in your timeline, so don't become anxious when you hear me say this. I am simply mentioning all possibilities, even ones I don't think are very likely!

If you have a Taurus birthday that falls near April 20, you will feel this full moon more than most. All full moons have a plus or minus four days from their appearance. (Most of us feel the full moon AFTER it appears, but that's not always the case; sometimes it is felt a day or two BEFORE the full moon.)

If you were born near April 20, since the full moon will fall on your birthday it means your year ahead will bring many things in your life to fruition. It's likely that after this coming year is over, you will strike out in a new direction, but for now, you will get to feel the satisfaction of seeing much of what you've been focused on blossom fully. You will only get a full moon on or near our birthday very rarely in life - this is your time! This could turn out to be a very big year ahead.

Other interesting things are going on in your chart, so let's turn our attention to those.

Mars, the energy planet, is now moving through your house of travel. April could bring more than your usual number of trips, and if you do go away, those little sojourns should be lots of fun. You won't have to travel far to get the benefit either. It will be good to get away, and besides, these trips won't be taken for work. (Ah, what a relief!) Next month, from May 9 through June, you will be focused intently on your home, other real estate, or family, and will make a lot of progress in this area. You won't have much of a chance to flee town then until July. While your travel aspects shine, treat yourself to one or two glorious weekends away in the fresh air.

Best weekend to go? April 11-13 or even better, April 26-27, when the moon will be in Capricorn (a good spot for you). Mercury will send happy beams to both Uranus and Jupiter then, too. If you can extend your stay a day or two, until April 29, you'll have a beautiful long weekend to enjoy.

During the first half of the month you will travel mainly to find soothing rest and relaxation. A trip to a weekend spa sounds divine, although I admit that it sounds expensive! If you can afford such a luxurious trip, there's no better month to get that kind of pampering. If not, it appears you have a close kindly relative who would love to see you and who will be willing to fluff up the guest room for you. If you love this person, and you also like the weather in this part of the country in April, then go!

As you move into birthday time at month's end, you'll feel stronger and even more enthusiastic about life. If you travel in the last third of the month, you may decide to travel a little farther away. This time your trip would be quite romantic. If you have a sweetheart or loving spouse, you will kidnap that person and spend sexy, quality time together.

Actually, when it comes to romance, you will find that last weekend of the month, April 26-27, to be your best. Mercury rules your house of true love and with Jupiter and Uranus bolstering Mercury so beautifully, you'd be wise to plan something special. It really should be a 14K gold weekend! Remember, travel has the power to lift romance to a whole new level - good to know!

The month ends on a sensational note. Venus will enter Taurus on April 30 and will stay until May 24.

Circle the period that Venus will remain in Taurus for doing some focused shopping - new clothes would be the perfect idea! A spa or salon treatment would also hit the spot, and any changes you make are sure to be ones that turn out to be very flattering.

Most romantic dates this month include April 6-7, 11-12, 16, 19-22 (but only if attached), 25-27, and 30.

Summary

The first part of the month begins slowly and quietly. You seem to be in a contemplative mode, deliberating about the past year and what your new birthday year might bring. With planets stacking up in your private 12th house, it is an ideal point to identify the parts of your life that are and aren't working and to plot necessary changes.

Also, try to create a bit of open space for the universe to fill. If your life is like a closet with too many things inside, you won't be able to add anything new. Let go mentally and physically, and allow the adventure to begin. Start on the new moon in enterprising Aries on April 5 or in the days that closely follow.

At the full moon, April 20, the pace picks up noticeably. You will have a tender full moon in your house of commitment, possibly leading you to exchange rings and vows. With planets forming a twinkling triangle in the sky, you have rare and beautiful support at this time for making any sort of commitment - in love or business. With such a friendly Saturn, promises you make now will be in place a very long time, possibly forever. Pluto's fine angle to the moon suggests that the union will have a strong and prosperous financial basis.

Single? You will hit your stride once Venus enters your sign on April 30, to stay until May 24. Save your pennies to shop during that period, for you'll find madly flattering things.

This month, traveling to nearby towns and resorts would be the right idea - among the days you choose to go, think about April 19 to 20, and if possible, extend your time away to include April 21 and 22. Mars and Uranus will bubble up spontaneous fun. All you'll need is your overnight case, as you'll not travel far.

Attached or single, you can't go wrong by traveling over the weekend of April 26-27, when friends or your sweetheart are sure to bring excitement to your agenda. Again, consider lengthening your trip to include Monday, April 28, and Tuesday, April 29, when Mercury, the travel planet, will reach out to Uranus, Jupiter, and Mars. No doubt about it, this will be a wow of a time to be away.

Remember:

Give up a self-destructive habit: April 8+

Make a pact with a partner in love or business near: April 20

Contribute ideas at work with courage: April 11-14